Just days after warning residents of Perth and Kinross over high-pressure sales calls from security companies, police have received inquiries about more bogus calls.
Officers have been tipped off about calls from women claiming to be officials from the Inland Revenue.
They tell the recipient that they are due a significant tax refund of several thousand pounds and advise them to send off their passport and driving licence to claim it, along with a large sum of cash.
This has prompted concern and police warn householders that this is a fraudulent scheme and that they should not send off any personal documents or money.
Divisional crime prevention officer in Perth and Kinross Donald Campbell said, “It is clear that this is a recognised criminal method of obtaining important personal documents and financial reward by fraudulent means and I would strongly advise callers not to send off anything should they receive such a call.
“As part of their criminal technique the callers appear highly plausible and will detail that they are calling from Inland Revenue offices, often in London, and make the householder aware that they are due a significant tax rebate amounting to several thousands of pounds.
“They then tell them that, in order to receive this rebate, the householder should send off their passport, driving licence and a large sum of cash to an obscure post box address.”
Mr Campbell urged anyone who receives calls like this to report it straight away to police and warned them not to reveal any details over the phone.
He added, “Householders are advised that legitimate Inland Revenue officials would not use this ‘cold calling’ method of contact to communicate with taxpayers and if they receive such a call they should firmly advise the caller that they do not wish to discuss this matter over the telephone.”
Photo used under a Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user alancleaver_2000.